b'OPERATION MARITAScan hereOPERATION MERCURYScan here THE GERMAN INVASION OF GREECE 1941 for the fullTHE BATTLE FOR CRETE for the full itinerary itinerary1219 May 2025 Historical Background 30 SeptemberHistorical Background8 days The Metaxas Line was constructed only a few years before the outbreak6 October 2025 Operation Mercury was the first and only time in history that a strategic Expert Historian: of WW2, its purpose being to prevent or delay any attack from Bulgaria.7 days objective has been taken by airborne forces alone. Despite being Col Bob KershawBut like the Maginot Line, it was compromised when the GermansExpert Historian: forewarned by Ultra Luftwaffe intelligence decrypts that an attack was outflanked it by invading Greece though Yugoslavia: after a determinedCol Bob Kershawpending, General Freybergs Commonwealth mix of British, Australian Activity Level: 2 defence, its forts were compelled to surrender following the capitulationand New Zealand forces, recently evacuated from Greece, were overrun of Thessaloniki. To delay German southwards exploitation, the newly andActivity Level: 2 by Hitlers elite Fallschirmjaeger (Parachute) regiments. Landing by both hastily arrived Commonwealth soldiers, known as W Force, had to quicklyparachute and glider and backed up by air-landed mountain troops, the During this eight-day tour of Greece, asform a defensive line anchored upon the River Haliacmon which offeredvastly out-numbered German forces managed to seize the island in the we journey south from the mountainousa few days resistance before it was itself outflanked following the GreekOperation Mercury is the fascinating storyface of crippling losses. This will be a fascinating study revealing why Bulgarian borderlands, we marvel atsurrender in the northwest. Thereafter, W force commenced a desperateof a high-risk operation fought across aexperienced Commonwealth troops did not live up to expectations and the dramatic scenery where every turnbut effective fighting withdrawal through central Greece towards thestunning Mediterranean landscape. Cretewhy, whilst the German forces were successful, this was to be their last seemingly reveals a captivating aspectport of Piraeus from where they expected to be evacuated. All the timehas to be one of the most beautiful Greeksignificant airborne operation.of that countrys momentous historythey were harassed by an imaginative and aggressive German pursuit,islands, and some would argue that there and well-loved mythology: the imposingculminating in the twin pronged airborne and motorcycle assaults on theis no other place like it. To the modern mind forts of the Metaxas Line in NorthernCorinth Isthmus. it is known primarily as a beach holiday Greece that still dominate the surroundingdestination, however the landscape is countryside; Mount Olympus, home towonderfully varied. From beaches and the Greek gods, and the magical Vale ofbays, to green coastal plains, imposing Tempe both of which formed the backbonemountains and gorges, sleepy hillside of the Allied first line of defence; thevillages to bustling, vibrant towns. Not to pass at Thermopylae held by the Spartanmention the warm, friendly, hospitable 300 in 480BC and New Zealand warriorslocals, a rich ancient and modern history some 2,400 years later; Athens, homeand culture all of which we absorb as we to democracy and headquarters of theexamine the landings and hard-fought German occupying forces; and the Corinthactions along the dramatic coast lines, isthmus which has witnessed the marchin the towns of Chania, Rethymnon and of armies throughout time. Whilst our mainIraklion, in the White Mountains and down focus is on the campaign of April 1941, weto the crystal-clear waters of Sfakia. Our take a considerable interest in the Persianhotels are situated in the centre of Chania invasions of 490 and 480 BC. and Heraklion, where there will be time available in the evenings to soak up the delightful atmosphere of tavernas and family restaurants. A very comfortable way to experience exciting history!Day 1 Thessaloniki: Fly from London Gatwick or make your own arrangements Day 1 .Travel to Crete. Fly from London Gatwickor make your own arrangementsto join the tour at the hotel in Thessaloniki (2 nights) (D) to join the tour at the hotelin Chania (4 nights). (D)Day 2 The Metaxas Line: Forts Roupel and Istabei (B,L,D) Day 2.Maleme Airfield, Prison Valley and Galatas. Tavronitis Bridge, Hill (Point) 107, Day 3 The Haliacmon Line:the Varia pass, Servia, Platamon Ridge and Castle,Maleme airfield, German cemetery, Prison Valley, Galatas, Oassi Cretan Tempe Gorge. Larissa (1 night) (B,L,D) Memorial, Lake Agia, Cemetery Hill, Allikanou Citizen Memorial. (B,L,D)Day 4 Withdrawal: Thermopylae (480BC & 1941), Bralos. Loutraki (2 nights) (B,L,D) Day 3.Chania and Souda Bay: 42nd Street, Commonwealth War Memorial Cemetery, Day 5 Airborne assault: Corinth Canal, Acro-Corinth (B,D) Venizelos Memorial (Freybergs HQ). Free afternoon and evening. (B,L)Day 6 . Piraeus and Athens: Salamis (480BC),Hellenic Maritime Heritage Park, Day 4.The Allied Retreat and Evacuation. Megali Horofia, Apterra Stilos, Neo Horia, Greek War Museum. Athens (2 nights). (B,D) Vrysses , Askifou, Chora Sfakia. Optional walk through Imbrou Gorge. (B,L,D)Day 7 Athens: civil war, occupation, Acropolis. Rooftop farewell dinner atDay 5.The battle for Rethymnon: Frangokastello/Prevalli Monastery, Stavromenos. ESSENTIALSHotel Grand Bretagne. (B,D) ESSENTIALS Heraklion (2 nights). (B,L,D)4-star hotels, meals as indicated,Day 8 . Evacuation: Marathon (490BC), Porto Rafti, return flights to London4-star hotels, meals as indicated,Day 6 The battle for Heraklion. Historical Museum of Crete, Heraklion area, Knossos, drinks with dinner, all entrance fees,Heathrow/leave the tour or perhaps extend your stay in Greece (B) drinks with dinner, all entrance fees,kidnap of General Kreipe. (B,L,D)tour manager and expert historianNote: UK flights depart from Gatwick but return to Heathrow tour manager and expert historianDay 7 .Return flights to London or leave tour, or perhaps extend your stay in Crete. (B)throughout, all internal travel, throughout, all internal travel, Note: UK flights arrive in Chania but return from Heraklionoptional travel from UK. optional travel from UK.56 www.theculturalexperience.com I info@theculturalexperience.com I UK0345 475 1815 I USA(toll-free) 877 209 5620 www.theculturalexperience.com I info@theculturalexperience.com I UK0345 475 1815 I USA(toll-free) 877 209 5620 57'